Dr Angelica Ly
- Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy, 2023
- Fellow, American Academy of Optometry, 2017
- Doctor of Philosophy (Vision Science), UNSW Sydney, Thesis title: Multimodal imaging in age-related macular degeneration, 2018
- Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, UNSW Sydney, 2014
- Bachelor of Optometry (Honours class 1), UNSW Sydney, 2008
I am a Clinician-Scientist and Senior Lecturer at UNSW whose research and teaching focuses on closing the evidence‑to‑practice gap in posterior eye care, especially age-related macular degeneration.
My research refines imaging biomarkers, develops clinician-centred artificial intelligence and decision support, and applies implementation science to improve adoption of new technologies and health communication. This work enables more accurate frontline diagnosis, sharper prognostics, and system-level improvements so the right patients receive the right care at the right time.
PhD projects on offer (Jan 2026, to apply, send your CV to a.ly@unsw.edu.au)
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- 2025 UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme (RIS): From Imaging to Insight: Advancing Retinal Disease Detection with Hyperspectral Detection with Hyperspectral Technology at UNSW, $131,499
- 2025 Macular Degeneration Research Grant from the Estate of the late Peter Anthony John Vild: Chat me up: designing a clinician and patient-verified chatbot to support AMD education beyond the consulting room, $19,824
- 2023 Macular Degeneration Research Grant from the Estate of the late Peter Anthony John Vild: ‘I spy with your little eye’ – using gaze tracking to identify barriers to OCT interpretation in age-related macular degeneration, $19,999
- 2023 Future Vision Foundation: Predicting Future Vision of Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration, $24,977
- 2023 UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme (RIS): Spectralis Imaging Platform, $165,939
- 2021 Australian Human Rights Institute Small Grants Funding Scheme: Understanding health inequity and access to eye care in NSW/ACT, $2000
- 2020 Brolucizumab (RTH258) investigator-initiated research program, Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Attitudes and Barriers to Care in Age-related Macular Degeneration: The ABCs of AMD, $395,533
- Optometry NSW/ACT International Women's Day Nominee, 2020
- Australian government Research training program scholarship, 2017
- Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Scholarship for postgraduate studies, 2014 - 2017
- Australian government Postgraduate Award, 2014 - 2016
My research activities are focused on age-related macular degeneration and other posterior eye diseases in the areas of:
- Imaging Science & Clinical Validity: Establishing what matters, how we measure it, and ensuring new imaging modalities are adopted effectively.
- Frontline AI & Decision Support: Defining safe, effective roles for artificial intelligence and decision tools that people can trust and use.
- Implementation Science, Health Communication & Equity: Turning evidence into action through multistakeholder co-design, communication, and systems design.
A listing of my previous publications can be found at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Angelica+Ly